Rossy Evelin Lima
Mexican-American writer, scholar, translator and activist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rossy Evelin Lima-Padilla (born August 18, 1986) is a United States–based Mexican writer, scholar, translator and activist. She has published her work in numerous journals, magazines and anthologies in Europe, North America and South America.
BA & MA University of Texas-Pan American
Rossy Evelin Lima | |
|---|---|
Rossy Evelin Lima in Weslaco, Texas, 2012. | |
| Born | Rossy Evelin Lima-Padilla August 18, 1986[1] |
| Education | PhD University of Houston; BA & MA University of Texas-Pan American |
| Occupations | Poet and linguist |
| Writing career | |
| Notable awards | Poet of the Year: The Americas Poetry Festival, New York, 2018[2] Premio Internazionale di Poesia La Finestra Eterea, 2017[3] Premio Orgullo Fronterizo Mexicano, 2016[4] |
| Website | www |
Biography
Lima was born in Veracruz, Mexico, to Mexican parents on August 18, 1986.[5] At the age of thirteen her family immigrated into the United States at a river crossing.[6] Her family settled in Texas where she struggled with the new education system.[7] Lima has stated, "School was a new system for me, and it made me feel lonely and scared. I struggled to learn a new language to communicate, but my brain and my lips seemed disconnected, I murmured trembling words that my classmates and teachers could not understand."[7]
During her struggling teenage years, Lima excelled in school and found her passion for literature and poetry.[8] She graduated from PSJA Memorial High School in 2005.[9]
In 2009, Lima graduated with a bachelor's in literature from the University of Texas-Pan American and earned her masters's in literature the next year from the same university.[9] Lima went on to earn a PhD in linguistics from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.[10][9]
In 2012, she entered into the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program.[11]
In 2016, Lima co-founded Jade Publishing; a publishing company dedicated to the publication and promotion of emerging Latin American literary talent in both English and Spanish.[12]
Lima is currently the director of the Spanish Heritage Language Program at Texas Tech University.[13]
Writing
Lima was recognized by the 2014 International Latino Book Awards for her work on Ecos de barro (2013).[14] The Monitor wrote that her poems in Ecos de barro were "vibrant" and that "Lima demonstrates with effortless art, words have the power to transform us for good or ill."[15]
Texas Review writes that Lima's personal journey as an immigrant and her own "roots" are central themes in the poetry of Aguacamino/Waterpath (2015). They write, "Lima's enlistment of her multifaceted identity allows her to actualize her immigrant and writing experiences, forming a visceral and critically needed prism."[6]
In 2015, she was recognized in Venice for her poem, Citlalicue with an International poetry award (Premio Internazionale di Poesia Altino).[16] She was awarded the Orgullo Fronterizo Mexicano award given by the Institute for Mexicans Abroad in 2016.[17]
In 2017, she was awarded first place in the Concorso Internazionale di Poesia La Finestra Eterea in Milan in 2017.[18]
Poet Laureate of the United States, Juan Felipe Herrera, wrote that Migrare, mutare (2017) is "A magnificent set of poems, in a most appropriate time."[19]
Selected bibliography
- Migrare, mutare/Migrate, Mutate. New York: Artepoética Press. 2017. ISBN 9781940075501.
- Aguacamino/Waterpath. Huntsville, Texas: Mouthfeel Press. 2015. ISBN 9780991208791.
- Ecos de barro. Brownsville, Texas: Otras Voces Publishing. 2013. ISBN 9780985737719.